Beam structures and collapsible containers made thereof



W. ZARG ES March 19, 1957 BEAM STRUCTURES AND COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS MADE THEREOF Filed July 12, 1955 United rates BEAM STRUCTURES AND CGLLAPSEBLE CONTAINERS MADE THEREOF The present invention relates to improvements in beam structures having a sectional profile which are especially adapted as supporting members. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of such beam structures for making collapsible containers and to new and useful improvements in such containers.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new beam structure of great strength and rigidity which is adapted for many different purposes and especially for suspending heavy loads, or as a hinge for pivotabiy supporting a variety of elements.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved type and form of construction of a collapsible container with a bottom portion or base of great rigidity and strength which is capable of withstanding considerable stresses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible container, the individual parts of which may be very easily assembled and combined so as to form a rigid entity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible container which has a bottom portion or base which forms the main support of the container and also acts as a hinge of great strength for pivotally supporting the individual side walls of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a base or bottom for a collapsible container which will withstand rough usage and is especially designed to prevent any possible damage to the hinge portions thereof which might prevent theside walls of such a container from being easily folded down.

According to the invention, the bottom portion of the container consists of a beam which is provided with at least two reinforcements which have a sectional or flanged profile and are vertically disposed relative to the upright rearsurface or body of the beam. The free end of at least'one of these flanges is provided with a depending shoulder portion, the outer edge of which is bent inwardly, that is, toward the body of the beam. This inwardly directed portion is preferably beaded or rounded along the edge which faces the adjacent flange. For pivotally supporting a wall section of the container between these adjacent flanges, the lower edge of such wall section is rolled outwardly so as to have a substantially semicircular cross section. This rolled edge portion may then be slid from one end of the beam between the adjacent flanges which thus together form a hinge about which the wall section may be folded upwardly or downwardly.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof, particularly when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 shows a vertical cross section through a sectional beam structure according to the invention provided with three flanges;

Fig. 2 shows a vertical cross section through a modified beam, provided with four flanges;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical cross section through a modiatent O fied beam provided with five flanges and a sheet metal member pivotally connected thereto;

Fig. 4 shows the total assembly of a collapsible container according to the invention with one side wall thereof being folded down for better illustration;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a cap mounted on a side wall; and

Pig. 6 is a Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, and first particularly to Fig. 1, the supporting beam 1 according to the invention consists of a substantially flat bar 4 with two flanges 2 and 3 which project substantially perpendicularly from one side thereof and are integral therewith. Forsafer manipulation, the upper edge of beam 1 is preferably rounded off as shown in the drawings. The free end of flange 2 is bent over downwardly and then inwardly, and forms a substantially semicircular bead 2' which is directed downwardly so as to face the upper surface of the flange 3. This upper surface of flange 3 .is likewise curved similar to bead 2', the center of curvature of both surfaces lying substantially at or slightly below the center of the distance between flanges 2 and 3. For additional reinforcement and to increase the rigidity of beam 1, the same may be provided with another flange 5 extending at a substantially right angle to bar 4 at the lower end thereof and preferably along its entire length. As subsequently described, this flange 5 may also serve as a base, for example, if beam 1 is used as a supporting structure of a collapsible container, for which purpose it is preferably made of greater width than flanges 2 and 3.

Beam 1 may be made of various materials and be used for a variety of purposes. Thus, for example, it may be used as a wall bracket for supporting a foldable shelf, as a supporting beam on which a depending wall or other element may be flexibly or pivotally suspended, or as a reinforcing base or bottom for pivotably supporting the walls of a collapsible container.

If used for the latter purpose, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 4, it would be advisable to provide beam 1 with two bent-over flanges 2 and 6, and a further flange 3, as shown in Fig. 2. Naturally, depending upon the pur pose for which it is to be used, it may also be provided with a larger number of such flanges, for example, four flanges 2, 6, 7 and 3", as shown in Fig. 3, and with or without a reinforcing or mounting flange 5. Such larger number of flanges may be desirable, for example, if beam 1 is to be used as a bracket on which a shelf or the like is to be mounted so as to be adjustable at different levels or on which a plurality of shelves is to be mounted. The wall strength of such a beam 1 may be made of any suitable size so as to render it practically distortionproof and capable of supporting a large weight.

For connecting a sheet metal wall 8 or the like to beam 1, such wall should be provided at its lower end, as shown in Fig. 3, with a curved edge 9 which has a radius of curvature slightly larger than that of beaded portions 2', 6, and 7'. The distance a between the opposite edges or surfaces of adjacent flanges which is preferably made only slightly wider than :the thickness of wall 8 is made smaller than the distance 12 between the lower edge of wall 8 and the upper edge of curved portion 9 of wall 8 so that such wall may be connected to beam 1 only by sliding it lengthwise into the respective slot a between adjacent flanges, that is, from one end of beam 1 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Such a shape of the two portions 2' and 9 permits wall 8 to be pivoted in a direction as shown by the arrow 1%). A structural element consisting of a beam 1 with atleast two flanges 2 and 3, and a sheet-metal member 8 may, for example, be used as a pivotable wall bracketor shelf, in which event beam 1 may be secured to a wall.

transverse section taken on line 6 6 in U .As illustratedin Fig. 4,-thesame-structuralelement 1, 8 may also be combined with three similar elements and a suitable bottom to form a collapsible container. In

a such event, four beams i are connected at their-ends so as to form a preferably oblong frame. A suitable bottom plate notshown in the drawing may either rest upon flangesYS, shown in Figs. 1 to 3, or be secured eitherto'the upper or lower Surfaces of flanges 5. The container .m'ay rest on the ground-either on flanges 5, or on angular feet 12 which may be secured in any suitable manner to the beams 1. Before installing beams 1 to form a frame, side walls 8 and 8' are slid endwise betweenflanges 2 and6, or-6 and 3 respectively, of beams 1. Although notabsolutelyrequired, the two side walls 8' are preferably provided on both vertical edges with angle irons 13 which maybe permanently secured thereto and serve as stops for the two other walls'8, as shown in Fig. 6, to close any vertical gap between-the adjacent walls, and to solidify :the entire container.

The upper end of each wall 8 and 8 is preferably pro- -vided witha rolled-over bead '11 which serves torein- }force the 'walls 'as well as to protect the operator from injury.

"In order to permit the walls 8 and 8 to fold down properly and .each wall then to .lie parallelto the adjacent wall, it is advisable either to use beams 1 of the simple type as shown in Fig. l but of different height for each pair ofside walls 8 and 8, respectively, or of the type as shown in Fig. 2 or 3, in which case two opposite side walls are inserted, for example, .between flanges 2 and provide the four upper corners with angular protecting caps 14 which, in vertical cross section, are of rounded or substantially semicircularshapeso as to rest evenly uponthe upper. half of the circular bead 11 of thecorner PQ F QP c a iacentsid w ll Su p 14 will ho theadjacent walls Sand 8' inproper rectangular alignment, secure them in upright condition, andprotect the operator. of the container from injury. Various means maybe selected for attaching the caps 14 to their re.- spective corners, Thus, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the. upperedge portions of bead 11 f the ,two side walls 8' maybe provided with; a pair'of holes, and apair of depending pinslla may be secured to the inside of the cap portion whichis .to overlie these edge portions and pass ed looselythrough the holes. When erecting the "container, sidewalls 8 are first pivoted upright, then one side wall 8 israised, the two .caps 14 on the respective endsof side walls8' are lifted slightly, their pins keeping them loosely attached to the beads 11 of walls 8', until suchside wall 8 is properly erect and abutting against the angle irons 13, whereupon the two caps 14 are dropped over the adjacent edge portions of beads 11 of all, three walls which are thus held together as shown in Fi 4. 'I hereupon, the other side wall 8 is raised and secured in upright condition bythe other two caps 14 in a similar manner.

For additional reinforcement of the side walls 8 andS' theyfmay also be provided with one or more stiffening corrugations 15. a

As previously indicated, the bottom plate may be inserted either from above so as. to rest loosely on flanges or to be secured thereto, or they .may be secured to flanges. 5 mm below.

' Whether both side walls 80f an oblong container :are to be mounted betweenflangeshof corresponding ,leyel, that is, either between flanges 6 and 3 according to Fig.

4 2 or flanges 6'and 7 or 7-and 3" according toFig Byor whether each side wall 8 is to be mounted between flanges of a different level, that is, one wall 8 between flanges 6 and 7 and the opposite wall 8 between flanges 7 and 3", depends largely upon the width of the container. In other words, if the width of the container is such that the height of the'two-side walls-8 'combinedis less than the width of'each side wall 8 so'that, wheni'folded down, side walls 8 will lie flatly end-on-end, they may be mounted betweeneorresponding flanges, while otherwise they should be mounted betwen flanges of different level. The same applies to the side walls 8. Thus, in a container in which the heightof'the-walls when erect exceeds the width between the other two walls, it would be necessary to use a beam structure 1 in which the walls are mounted between four different levels of cooperating flanges.

Although my inventionhas been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof 1 wishto have it understood that it is-in no way limited to;the:details of such embodiments or to the specific examples described, but is capable of numerous modifications within the 'scope of the appended claims.

Having thus. fully disclosed my invention, what I claim l. A sectional beam structure'eomprising an elongated bar havinga plurality of flanges projecting at least toward one side thereof and extending substantially perpendicularly tousaidbar and spaced fromeach other, at least oneof saidflanges having. along its end a portion projecting toward the adjacent flange, and an inwardly curved portion on the free end of said projecting portion, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and said adjacent flangebeingspaced-from each other and having a common center of curvature so-as to'permit'a similarlycurved element to "be slidendwise between said flanges, said flanges then forming a hingelike support for said element.

2. A sectional beam-structure comprising an elongated bar-of substantially uniform-width having a plurality of flanges projecting at least toward one. side thereof and extending along-the lengthof saidbar'and substantially perpendicularly thereto but spaced from each other, at least one'of said flanges'having" along its end a portion projecting toward the adjacent flange and substantially parallel tosaidbar, andan inwardly'curved portion on the'free end of said projecting portion and extending along the length of said bar, the adjacent'surfaces of said curved portion, and said adjacent flange being spaced from each other-andhaving a common center of "curvature so as to permit'a-similarly curvedelement of a thickness substantially equal to the space betweensaid adjacent surfaces to .be sl-id endwise between said'flanges, said adjacent flanges then together forming a hingelike support for SaideIement. V

3. A sectional 'bearn structure comprising an elongated barhaving a pluralityof flanges projecting at least toward one'side thereof and extending substantially perpendicularly to said bar and spaced fromzeach other, at leastone I of'said flanges having along itsend a portion projecting toward the. adjacent flange, and an inwardly curved portion on the free end of saidprojecting portion, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and. said adjacent flange being spaced from each other andhaving a common center of curvature so as to permit a similarly curved element to .be slid endwisle. between said flanges, said flanges then-forming alhingelike support for said element, and anadditional flangeextending alongone longitudinal edge of said bar and proje'ctingQin-the same directionas said flanges.

4. Apivotal structure comprising an:.elongated barhaving aplurality of flanges projecting at least toward one side thereof; and extending substantially perpendicularly to said bar and spaced from each other, at least one of said flanges :having along its end a portion projeetingtowa'rd the adjacent flange, and an inwardly curved portion on the free end of said projecting portion, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and's aid adjacent .flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, and another element having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges, and having a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, said end portion being adapted to be slid endwise between said flanges, said adjacent flanges and said curved end portion together forming a hingelike support for said element.

5. A pivotal structure comprising an elongated bar having a plurality of flanges projecting at least toward one side thereof and extending substantially perpendicularly to said bar and spaced from each other, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting toward the adjacent flange, and an inwardly curved portion on the free end of said projecting portion, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and said adjacent flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, and a sheetlike wall section having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, said end portion being adapted to he slid endwise between said flanges, said adjacent flanges and said curved end portion together forming a hingelike support for said wall section, said wall section having stifi'ening corrugations therein and a reinforcement along its free edge opposite to said end portion.

6. A collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side walls pivotally connected to said base, said base comprising four beams connected to each other at their ends to form a frame, each of said beams having a plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward the inside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portion and directed toward the body of said beam and along the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and of said adjacent flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal .to the space between said adjacent surfaces, said end portion being inserted in said space and pivotally supported by said adjacent surfaces.

7. A collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side walls pivotally connected to said base, said base comprising four beams connected to each other at their ends to form a frame, a bottom plate connected to said beams, each of said beams having a plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward the inside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portion and directed toward the body of said beam and extending along the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and of said adjacent flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, the two pairs of opposite side walls being of different height, the flanges on one opposite pair of beams projecting therefrom at a different level from the flanges on the other opposite pair, said end portion of each of said side walls being inserted in said space between said adjacent surfaces and pivotally supported by said surfaces, said wall portions when pivoted vertically all being of equal height from said base, the two pairs of opposite walls when folded down being substan- 6 tially horizontally disposed with one pair being superiniposed to the otherpair. 1 t 8. A collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side walls pivotally connected to said base, said base comprising four beams connected to each other at their ends to form a frame, each of said beams having a plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward the inside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portion and directed toward the body of said beam and along the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and of said adjacent flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, said end portion being inserted in said space and pivotally supported by said adjacent surfaces, one pair of opposite side walls having angle irons mounted on each side thereof, the free web of said angle irons being disposed toward said other pair of side walls and adapted to support said other pair when said side walls are pivoted vertically.

9. A collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side walls pivotally connected to said base, said base comprising four beams connected to each other at their ends to form a frame, each of said beams having a plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward theinside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portion and directed toward the body of said beam and along the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and of said adjacent flange being spaced from each. other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal to the spacebetween said adjacent surfaces, said end portion being inserted in said space and pivotally supported by said adjacent surfaces, each of said beams having another substantially horizontal flange projecting inwardly of said frame along the lower edges of said beams, and a bottom plate secured to said flanges.

10. A collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side walls pivotally connected to said base, said base comprising four beams connected to each other at their ends to form a frame, a bottom plate connected to said beams, each of said beams having a plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward the inside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portion and directed toward the body of said beam and extending along the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved portion and of said adjacent flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, the two pairs of opposite side walls being of different height, the flanges on one opposite pair of beams projecting therefrom at a difierent level from the flanges on the other opposite pair, said end portion of each of said side walls being inserted in said space between said adjacent surfaces and pivotally supported by said surfaces, said wall portions when pivoted vertically all being of equal height from said base, the two pairs of opposite walls when folded down being substantially horizontally disposed plurality of flanges integral therewith and projecting substantially horizontally toward the inside of said frame, at least one of said flanges having along its end a portion projecting'downwardly and toward the adjacent flange, and a curved portion on the free end of said downwardly projecting portionand'directed toward'the body of said beamand extendingalong the length thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said curved'portion and of said adjacent flange being-spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, 'said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having a thicknesssubstantially equal to the space betweensaid'adjac'ent surfaces, the two pairs of opposite side walls being of different height, the flanges on one opposite pair of beams projecting therefrom at a different level from the flanges on the other opposite pair, said endtportion of each of said sidewalls being inserted in said space between said adjacent surfaces and pivotally supported by said surfaces, said wall portions when pivoted vertically all being of equal height from said base, the two pairs of opposite walls" when folded down being substantially horizontally disposed with one pair being superimposed to the other pair, each of said side walls-having along'its'upper edge a reinforcing bead, and angular members removably connected to the adjacent ends of said beads when said side walls are pivoted vertically so as 'to combine said ends to form rigid corners. V 7

1-2. A'collapsible container comprising a substantially rectangular base and side wallspivotally connected to said-base comprisingfour beam's connected to each other at their endsto form enem -a bottorn'plate connected to'said beams, each of said beams'having a plurality of flange being spaced from each other and having a common center of curvature, said side wall having an end portion curved similarly to said adjacent surfaces of said flanges and having ,a thickness substantially equal to the space between said adjacent surfaces, the two pairs'of opposite side walls being of different height, the flanges on one opposite pair of beams projecting therefromat a difi'erent level from the flanges on the other opposite pair, said end portion of each of said side walls being inserted in said space between said adjacent surfaces and pivotally supported by'said surfaces, said wall portions when pivoted vertically all being of equal heightfror'n said base, the two pairs of opposite walls when folded down being substantially horizontally disposed with one pair being superimposed to the other pair, one pair of opposite side Walls having angle irons mounted oneach side thereof, the free web of said angle irons'b eing' disposed toward said other pair when said side wallsare pivoted vertically, each of said side walls having along its upper edge a reinforcing bead of substantially circular cross section, and angular members of substantially semicircular cross section removably connected to the adjacent ends of said beads when said side walls afe pivoted vertically so as to combine said ends to form rigid corners.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,543,268 Thierne June 23, 192 5v 2,317,605 Harris Apr. 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 295,667 Italy Apr. 27, 1932 512,783 Belgium July 31, 1952 

